Ballet Programs

Dance training typically starts at an early age. Students interested in ballet should begin training at age 5, with more formal training at the age of 8 or 9. One thing is certain; dance training requires every ounce of dedication, focus and energy the student can muster and the rewards are there for those who earn them.

Students start with the Pre-School Curriculum, move up through Pre-Primary and Primary levels, Grade 1 – 2 then through our Vaganova Pre-Professional & RAD Vocational Programs. In the Graded syllabi, students are offered alternative options of an Examination, Class Award or Presentation Class.

EARLY YEARS STAGE

The early years stage promotes all areas of development and it has been proven that dance and music help their brain cells make the connections needed for virtually every kind of intelligence.

Music & Movement: An introductory class for toddlers that is ballet based with natural movement that helps develop coordination and movement to music.

Pre-School Curriculum: A continued curriculum that focuses on the development of basic movement skills, musical awareness, expression and creativity. Theme classes encourage participation, attention and confidence that prepare students for entry to the Foundation Stage.

Age group: 2 – 5 years Instruction: 1 class per week

FOUNDATION STAGE

Pre-Primary & Primary:
This curriculum level provides a syllabus that is artistically and developmentally appropriate, as well as fundamentally appealing to young children. Physical fitness and core dance skills, as well as each child’s creative voice are developed through activities that encourage critical thinking, self confidence and social emotional skills. Based on many years of research on how children learn, the syllabi help to build up neuropathways in regards to all types of development.

Grades 1 – 2: This level is a Graded Syllabi which provides a broad practical and more formal dance education, progressively developing the technical, musical and performance skills of the student. It incorporates Classical Ballet, Conditioning and Character Dance. Classical ballet is the core of the syllabus. Junior Contemporary is optional at this level.

Age group: 6 – 10 years Mandatory Instruction: 2 classes per week

VAGANOVA PRE-PROFESSIONAL & RAD VOCATIONAL STAGE

Age group: 10 – 18 years Mandatory Instruction: 3 classes and up per week depending on the level

A & B: These levels are a VAGANOVA based continuation of the formal dance education and performance skills of the student. It incorporates Pre-Vocational Ballet, Pre-Pointe training, Pilates Conditioning and Contemporary Dance.

Vocational Grade: This Graded Syllabus is the continuation of classical ballet training from the Royal Academy of Dance’s Graded Syllabus. It commences from the age of approximately twelve and is geared towards those engaging in the serious study of ballet.

At the earliest level, pointe work is introduced for the first time, and each syllabus has been designed to give the necessary training to students wishing to study seriously, with a possible view to following a career in dance, or dance related subjects. There are six levels of Vocational Graded Examinations starting with Intermediate Foundation and culminating in the Solo Seal Award.

Contemporary

This form of dance is probably the most popular and has since grown to become one of the dominating performance genres for formally trained dancers throughout the world. In terms of its technique, contemporary dance tends to utilize both the strong and controlled legwork of ballet and modern dance.

Age group: 7 years & up

* The prerequisite for this class is that a dancer must be taking a minimum of two ballet classes per week to qualify for this class.

ABOUT US

Prima Ballet School is committed to developing a strong arts and dance community of young people in the Durham Region, Ontario. We provide pre-professional training that is focused on a performing arts education. Our school is unique and specializes in ballet and also offers other forms of dance to encourage students to achieve their highest potential. We are a non-competitive, community oriented, ballet training school.